Automatic lubricating device



Aug. 17 @1926. I 1,596,719

R. W. CONN AUTOMATIC LUBRI CATING DEVICE Filed June 21 1925 INVENTOR Rosier M c ow/v ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 17, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT WILLIAM CONN, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE I LAMP COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMATIC LI TBRICATING DEVICE.

Application filed June 21, 1923. Serial No. 646,770.

This invention relates to lamp making machinery and'more particularly to a lubrieating device for machines for evacuating the bulbs of lamps.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved automatic machine for applying a sealing medium to exhaust, tube receiving apertures of an exhausting-machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which will automatically apply a given amount of a sealing medium to an exhaust tube recelving aperture.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device which may be positioned in operative relation to an exhausting machine and which may be actuated by said machine to lubricate exhaust tubes in tubereceiving apertures.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a lubricating device which may be adjusted to apply a greater or lesser amount of lubricant to a given part.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent as the description proceeds.

The present device aims to provide a lubri,

eating device of the character as set forth inithe cop/ending application of R. Shannon and J. M. Tagan, filed December 23, 1922, Serial N 0. 608,701, for lubricating device for exhausting machines and assigned tothe Westinghouse Lamp Company.

The manufacture of incandescent lamps includes the evacuation of a bulb which is accomplished by exhausting through an exhaust tube of the bulb when said tube is inserted into an exhaust tube receiving aperture of an exhausting-machine. I

A lamp when constructed up to the poin at which the exhausting operation is to be performed, consistsof a bulb including the internal structure of the lamp, which is termed the mount, sealed therein.

The above mentioned exhaust tube is also provided and aflt'ords communicating passages between the bulb and the atmosphere. The exhausting operation is performed by the insertion of the exhaust tube into a tube-receiving aperture of an exhausting machine, which aperture usually consists of a resilient sleeve held in the casing and which is generally termed a support.

Machines for evacuating lamp bulbs are Well known in the art and usually comprise one or more pumps which are connected through a rotary valve with intermediate passages, which in turn connect to a plurality of exhaust tube supporting apertures. The supports for the exhaust tubes are usually positioned at spaced intervals adjacent the periphery of a rotary conveyor movable intermittently. The exhaust tubes are successively connected with exhausting pumps which are 'so designed, as to progressively evacuate a bulb, until a final maximum degree, of vacuum is reached.

When the bulb has been sufliciently evacuated, the exhaust tube thereof moves in the path of tipping-off fires and the tube is thus rendered plastic and tipped-off in the usual manner. .The remaining or surplus portion of the tube is, however, left in the aperture of the exhausting machine to be subsequently removed, either by hand or automatically.

For the purpose of sealing the vacuum line from the atmosphere during the exhausting operation, it is necessary to apply a viscous medium, such, for instance, as castor oil to the tube receiving aperture prior to the insertion of the tube therein. A film of oil is thus disposed between the wall of the aperture and exhaust tube and effectively seals the vacuum line to permit efiicient evacuation of a bulb. j

It is important that a uniform amount of lubricant be applied to each exhaust tube and it is further desirable to provide means for varying the quantity of lubricant applied, in accordance with the conditions un der which the exhausting'machine is operated. The present invention contemplates the provision of a device which Will'operate to with anexhausting machine, per se, it is also of-advantage lnapplying a lubricant found of advantage whenus ed in connection moved, the

to movable parts of other machines in which the parts to be lubricated, may be moved to make, contact with other movable elements of the lubricating device.

The present embodiment of the invention may include a plurality of radially disposed contact rods having hubs at one of their ends and pivoted on a circular shaft so as to be movable in vertical planes. The shaft may be held in a groove of a carrier having radial guide slots and movable about a given vertical line. The exposed end of at least one of the rods may be normally positioned in the path of movement'of exhaust tubes disposed in exhaust tube receiving apertures of an exhausting-machine. As the machine is operated to move the exhaust tubes from one exhausting position to' another, one of the said tubes will make contact with a rod and move the same from the path of movement of the exhaust tube at the salne time another rod will be positioned for contact with the succeeding exhaust tube. The rods pick up lubricant from a reservoir during a portion of their rotary movement, thus when contact between a rod and exhaust tube is effected,- a portion of the lubricant adhering to the rod will be deposited upon the exhaust tube and will subsequently flow downwardly and surround the tube-receiving aperture.

After the bulb has been tipped-off and the surplus portion of an exhaust tube 13 relubricant therearound will flow into the aperture to provide a sealing medium for the next tube inserted therein.

By reason of the heat employed during the tipping-off operation, the exhaust tube attains a relatively high temperature, thus increasing the fluidity of the lubricant and increasing its rate of travel from the point of application to the tube receiving aperture. \Vhen the oil reaches the perimeter of the aperture, it flows around and encircles the tube, preparatory to itsentrance into the aperture when the exhaust tube is removed.

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which is a vertical section on line II of a lubricating device shown 1n relation to an exhausting-ma- Fig. 1 in Fig. 2 operative chine;

. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectionof the lubricating device taken on line IIII in Fig. 1;.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View of the device.

taken on line III-J11 in Fig. 2 showing the lubricant-transferring members in full lines;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the device showing a modi fied form of lubricant transferring member, and

' upon the rods being Fig. 5 is a portion of the device showing means for varying the degree of inclination of the.lubricating members during contact with exhaust tubes.

The present invention may comprise a casing 5 having a cavity or reservoir 6 in which a lubricating medium 7 may be disposed. Positioned upon. the casing 5 and hinged thereto on pins 8, may be rovided a supplemental or feed tank 9. he tank may be provided with a spout 11 adapted to enter the reservoir 6 and have its end positioned below the level of the liquid. Thus a gravity feed may be provided to keep the reservoir filled as the liquid is removed for, lubricating purposes, as will presently be described.

The feed tank 9 may, however, be dispensed with if desirable and liquid supplied to the reservoir 6 when necessary. The casing 5 may be supported on a vertical member 12 having one end secured in a socket 13, which may be secured to any stationary structure adjacent an exhausting machine. The other end of the member 12 may be disposed in a suitable aperture 14 in a reinforced portion'15 of the casing 5. 7

A plurality of rods may be employed and,

as shown,. eight such rods are journaled on a split circular shaft or open ring 22. The ring may be of such resiliency as to normally have the ends thereof in contact, and the diameter of the ring may be increased by separating the ends to apply the ring to an annular groove 23 (see Fig. 4) provided in a carrier 24. The carrier may have milled therein, a plurality of radial slots 25, equal to the number of rods to be carried. Thus when the shaft 22 is snapped into position, slots 25 and guided during oscillatory movement. The carrier through, a secured'in a tapped hole 28 in the portion 15 of the casing 5. The carrier and consequently the rods 19may thus berotated, free to swing in .radial planes. Lubricant is carried fromthe reservoir. 6 to the exhaust tube 18 by the rods 19 which are successively dipped into the lubricant and when removed therefrom, carry a uni-' 24 is rotatably mounted. a threaded-stud 26 which extends hub 27 of the carrier 24 and is rods may be disposed in the i the rods,

a rotary movement to the exhaust tubes positioned in the exhaust tube receiving apertures and the lubricating device may be so positioned that the contact between an exhaust tube and a rod 19 will actuate to move the contacting rod from the path of movement of the exhaust tube and will move another rod into the path of the following exhaust tube, thus a rotation of the rods- 19 will be effected.

For the purpose of moving the rods 19 into and out from the liquid, cam surfaces 32 and 33 (see Fig. 3) are provided. These surfaces are inclined and meet at their lowest points, thus as the carrier rotates in the direction of the arrow X, Fig. 2, certain of the rods 19 will, by reason of their weight, move downwardly as they traverse the sur-' face 32, until their ends are immersed to the desired depth in the liquid. A further movement'of the carrier causes the rods to traverse the surface 33 to remove them from the liquid.

After a rod has been dipped into the liquid and is moved with the liquid adhering thereto to position for contact with an ex- Q haust tube, it will be'evident that when such contact is made, liquid adhering to the rod will be transferred to the exhaust tube,- whereupon it will flow downwardly and encircle the aperture 29.

If desirable, the rods may be arranged so that when in position for contact with an exhaust tube, their exposed ends will be positioned below their fulcrum points. This inclined position will cause the liquid to flow and accumulate at the end of the rod from frgm which it will readily flow to an exhaust tu e.

For the purpose of varying the operative position of the rods 19, a semi-circular portion 35, adapted to engage may be provided. The plate 34 may be secured to the casing 5 by a bolt 36, disposed in a suitable vertical slot in the plate, thus the vertical position of the plate may be varied. It has been found that the variation in the inclination of the rods, dur

ing their contact with the exhaust tubes, results in a variation, in theamount of liquid transferred to the exhaust tubes.

When it is desirable to lubricate exhaust tubes of relatively small diameter and a comparatively small amount of lubricant is required, rods of a relatively small diameter may be provided as the lubricant-transfer ringmembers. Such members may be simiplate 34 having a lar to those shown in Fig. 4 in which several rods 37 are illustrated as having hubs of a diameter suitable to be guided in the slots 25, but which have their ends: 38 of any desired reduced diameter.

By reason of the simplicity of the present construction, a set of rods of reduced diameters may readily be applied to the carrier 24 by snapping the resilient shaft/22 into the annular groove 23 provided in the carrier.

For the purpose of insuring a downward movement of rods intothe liquid, :1 guideplate in the form of a web 39 may be provided. The web may be integral with the tank 9 and disposed on opposite sides of the spout 11, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 and in section in Fig. 2. The web may be so arranged that the lower or contact edge 40 will lie in the circular path of the rods. Thus as a rod moves toward the liquid, if by reason of friction or otherwise, it failed to drop,"it would be engaged by the guide and positively moved downwardly into the liquid. It will be noted that a web is provided at each side of the spout, thus providing for the positive downward movement of the rods, whether they are moved clockwise, as indicated, or counter-clockwise.

The present invention provides a lubrieating device in which the simplicity of construction and the positiveness of operation, makes it an advantageous device for use in connection with lamp-making machinery.

It will be appreciated that the present lubricating device operates only when exhaust tubes are positioned in the exhaust tube receiving apertures, that is, only when it is necessary to deliver oil for lubricating purposes. Considerable economy in the amount of oil used is thus effected and the operation of manually terminating the supply of oil when not desired is eliminated.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and described, it is obvious that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for applying a sealingmedium to exhaust tubes in tube-receiving apertures of. an exhausting-machine comprising a reservoir for a 86211111 medium and a movable member for transferring a given amount of said medium to said exhaust tubes.

2. A device for applying a sealing medium to exhaust tubes in apertures ofan exhausting-machine comprising a carrier for a.

plurality of movable members, a reservoir having a sealing medium therein and means for moving said members to transfer sealing-medium to said exhaust tubes.

3. A device for applying a sealing medium to a moving body comprising a container having a sealing medium therein, oscillatory members and means for automatically moving said members into and out from said medium to transfer sealing medium to said body.

4. A device for applying a sealing medium to exhaust tubes in tube-receiving apertures of exhaust machines comprising a container having a lubricant therein, a carrier positioned adjacent to said container, a plurality of pivoted members on said carrier, means for moving said exhaust tubes for engaging with said members to move the same and means associated with said carrier for immersing portions of said members into said lubricant.

5. A device for applying a lubricant to the tube-receiving apertures of an exhaustingmachine, comprising a lubricant container, a carrier rotatably positioned adjacent said container, a plurality of movable members associated with said carrier, an inclined surface adjacent said container, means for moving said carrier to cause said members to traverse said surface and thereby enter and leave said lubricant.

6. A device for applying a sealing medium to the tube-receiving apertures of an exhausting-machine comprising a container, a carrier rotatably positioned adjacent said container, a plurality of movable members associated with said carrier, an inclined surface adjacent said container, means for moving said carrier to cause said members to traverse said surface and enter and leave a medium in said container and means for effecting a contact between said members and exhaust tubes positioned in an exhaustingmachine.

7 A device for applying a sealing medium to the tube-receiving apertures of an exhaustingmachine comprising a container having a sealing medium therein, a rotatable member, an oscillatory member mounted on said rotatable carrier, means for rotating said carrier to .rotate said member andmeans for gradually immersing and removing said member into and out from said medium. 7

8. A device for applying a sealing medium to the tube-receiving apertures of an exhausting-machine comprising a container having a sealing medium therein, a rotatable member, an oscillatory member mounted on said rotatable carrier, means for rotating said carrier to rotate said member, means cooperating with said rotary means for gradually immersing and removing said member into and out from said medium and means for moving said'member in contact with an exhaust tube of a sealing-in machine.,

9. A device for lubricating exhaust-tubereceiving apertures of exhausting-machines comprising a lubricant container, a lubricant-transporting member, means for dipping said member into said lubricant and means for moving said member in contact with an exhaust tube disposed in an aperture of an exhausting-machine and means for varying the angular position of said member during contact with said exhaust tube.

10. A device for lubricating exhaust-tube receiving apertures of exhausting-machines comprising a lubricant container, a plurality of pivoted lubricant-transporting members, means for dipping at least one of said members in said lubricant and means for moving the dipped member in contact with an exhaust tube positioned in an exhaust-tube-re: ceiving aperture in an exhausting-machine.

11. A device for lubricating exhaust-tubereceiving apertures of exhausting-machines comprising a carrier, a plurality of lubricant-transporting-members movable relative to said carrier, at least one of said members being normally disposed in the path of movement of exhaust tubes positioned in exhaust-tube-receiving apertures of said exhaust tube machine, whereby a movement of tubes in said machine makes contact with said members to rotate said carrier and move one of said members out of said path and another member into said path.

12. A device for applying a sealing. me dium to exhaust tubes in apertures of an exhaust machine comprising a reservoir having a sealing medium therein, means for automatically applying a sealing medium to said reservoir, a movable member, and means for dipping said member in said medium to remove a given quantity thereof for deposit on an exhaust tube in said machine.

13. A device for applying a sealing medium to exhaust tubes in tube-receiving apertures of an exhausting machine comprising a reservoir for a sealing medium, a supplemental tank for said medium, gravity feeding means for applying said medium from said tank to said reservoir to maintain a constant level therein, movable members and means for successively dipping the ends of said members below the level of said medium to remove predetermined quantities of said sealing medium for deposit on said exhaust tubes.

14:. A device for applying a sealing medium to a plurality of moving bodies comprising a carrier, a plurality of relatively movable arms on said carrier. a. reservoir having a sealing medium therein, gravity feeding means for maintaining a given level in said reservoir and means for moving said members into and out from said medium to remove quantities of the said medium for deposit on said moving bodies.

15. A device for applying a sealing medium to the tube receiving apertures of an exhausting-machine, comprising a container having a sealing medium therein, an oscillatory member mounted on a rotatable carrier, an inclined surface, means for rotating of oscillatory members mountedon a rotat- 10 said carrier to permit said member to travable carrier, means forrotating said carerse said surface for entrance into said merier and means for positively engaging said dium and means for positively immersing members to immerse them in said medium I said member in said medium. during a rotation of said carrier.

16. A device for applying a sealing me- In testimony vwhereof, I have hereunto' dium to the tube receiving apertures of an subscribed my name this 14th day of June, exhausting-machine, comprising a container 1923. having a sealing medium therein, a plurality ROBERT WILLIAM CONN. 

